Faith

Anthony has compared the penitent to the hart; he does this in two separate writings, both of which are contained in the fourth volume of his Sermons

The constant and intense prayer life laid down in the rule for Franciscan penitents is the best antidote against spiritual blindness and dryness

In certain respects Anthony and Francis were opposites, in others they were remarkably alike – yet one thing is certain: they were closely bound in spirit

While it’s comforting to imagine that God will reward us in this life if we remain close to Him, the reality is that our faithfulness will be tested through hardships

Remember Jesus’ parable about separating the sheep from the goats? Anthony and Francis became sheep by following different paths

Anthony was more educated than Francis, but both received their learning from prayer and contemplation, their teacher being the Holy Spirit